Best Outdoor Dog Bed: How to Choose the Right Outdoor Dog Bed For Your Pet

Your furry friend deserves to be just as comfortable outdoors as he or she is indoors. To ensure this, of course, you are going to need the best outdoor dog bed possible. It is only then that your pup can really relax in all external environments.

Now, outdoor dog beds are still not a common concept. And, it may take some time until more options are available. Since the criteria aren’t always clear, it can be a bit difficult to narrow down the perfect option for your pooch.

Fortunately for you, we have just what you need right here. This guide will give you an outline of what you need to be looking for in quality outdoor dog beds. What’s more, you will also find a list of some of the best beds available.

Resistance to the Elements

When your pup’s bed is kept inside your home it is unlikely that it will come into contact with anything too rough. This changes, of course, when you want to place the bed outside. Here, the bed is going to need to stand up to the weather. So, let’s take a look at what features such a dog bed is going to require:

Water Resistance

When the dog bed is placed outside, there is a good chance that it is going to be exposed to at least a little bit of moisture. After all, there is always a chance of dewfall, drizzle, or the water sprinkler suddenly turning on. To prevent any damage to the bed, you need to look for fabric that is water resistant.

This type of fabric doesn’t allow water to seep through to the filling. Now, it is important to remember that water resistant materials aren’t a permanent solution. So, it is best not to keep the bed in the water for too long.

UV Resistance

Have you ever noticed that if you leave certain fabrics out in the sun for too long that they begin to fade? Well, this is all because of the UV rays in sunlight. They essentially break down the color, making the material look old and bleached.

The good news is that there are fabrics that have been treated to be UV resistant. It should be noted that this is not a feature that all outdoor dog beds have. However, if you want the material to stay in good condition for as long as possible, this characteristic certainly can help.

Toughness

On a similar note, outdoor dog beds need to be tougher as well. Since they will be placed on rougher surfaces, the beds will need to withstand a bit more wear and tear. Once again, you should examine the materials used to build the dog beds to make sure that they are suitable.

Look for high-quality fabrics that are resistant to friction, tearing, and similar situations. This way, you can be certain that dog beds made from these materials are likely to last longer.

Size

As you can imagine, it is rather important to get the right sized bed for your pup. It is only then that he or she will truly be comfortable. The first thing to do is to match the bed dimensions to your pooch’s size. This can be managed rather easily by measuring your dog from snout to tail. You can then compare these measurements with the beds.

It is probably a good idea to look for a bed that is around 6 or more inches larger than your dog. This gives your pup plenty of room to wiggle and move around while sleeping. A little more room also accommodates a wider variety of sleeping styles.

Of course, if your pooch likes to curl themselves into a ball, a slightly smaller bed may be helpful. In the end, it is up to what you find is best for your pup. This is why it may be helpful to monitor their sleeping habits for a while, before settling on a particular product.

Comfort

The whole point of getting your pup a dog bed is so that they can stay nice and cozy when they are outside. Since the ground tends to be harder, your pooch is probably going to need an additional layer of protection from the floor. This is where the comfort level of the dog beds come in.

In most instances, the comfort level is directly associated with the thickness of the dog bed as well as the filling. Now, these factors tend to vary quite a bit with each bed. So, always make it a point to carefully consider what the material is and how thick it is to determine if it is right for your pooch.

Care and Upkeep

It goes without saying that dog beds that are kept outside will undeniably get a lot dirtier. Thus, you are going to need to clean them more often. This is why you should always check just how easy it is to clean and maintain each of the materials used in the dog bed. Look for beds that can be washed easily and dried quickly for best results.

Does your pooch stay outdoors during the day, regardless of the climate? If so, this is just the bed for him or her. See, this is a heated bed and is sure to keep your pup nice and toasty and off the cold, hard ground.

The first thing to know about this bed is that it is incredibly comfortable. This is because the filling is composed of orthopedic foam and ensures that your pooch’s entire body is supported properly. The foam is also just thick enough to keep your pup protected from the ground.

Of course, the real advantage here is that the heat feature on this bed has been designed to be specific to your pup. You can be quite certain that it will always match your pup’s natural body temperature. As a result, he or she will be just the right level of warmth. The bed has also been extensively tested and is completely safe.

The bed is covered with a durable, machine washable fabric. So, keeping it clean and in good condition will be an absolute breeze. However, if your pooch has a tendency to scratch at the pad, then there is a chance that the fabric may rip.

If you want an ultra-plush option for your pup, then look no further than that this bed. The base and the walls of this bed are padded incredibly well. As such, you can place it on virtually any surface and just know that your pup will be as comfortable as can be.

What makes this the perfect bed for the outdoors, though, is the material. To start with, the outer portion is made from high-quality polyester. As such, it can easily stand up to wear and tear. In fact, this bed has been designed to be chew-proof as well. So, it is an excellent choice for puppies too!

The fabric is also moisture resistant and is capable of wicking moisture away. Due to this, you can be quite certain that no water will be entering the filling. If this wasn’t impressive enough, the material is also UV resistant. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about it fading in the sunlight.

The covering is machine washable and incredibly simple to clean. You can even tumble or air dry it if you choose. The minor issue with this pet bed is that it is only available in one size. So, it may be a bit too small for some of the larger breeds.

With this dog bed, you can select from four different sizes – small, medium, large, and extra-large. So, regardless of the age, breed, or size of your pooch, you will have no trouble finding a dog bed to fit him or her. Your pup is sure to have plenty of room to stretch out and get comfortable.

The other advantage of this bed is that it is made from polyurethane memory foam. As a result, it is designed to gently support your pup’s weight and pressure points. This makes for a much more healthier and comfortable nap for your dog.

The top portion of the dog bed is covered in microsuede which is incredibly soft and cozy for your pooch. Now, the only issue with this part is that it can’t withstand too much scratching. So, if your pup paws at the material, it may not last too long. The good news, though, is that the material is water resistant.

The bottom part of the bed is made from a non-slip material. This allows the bed to grip the floor so that it will not go sliding when your pup tries to move around. As an added bonus, this material can be removed and machine washed.

If you want to make sure that your pup is comfortable no matter what surface he or she is on, then this dog bed will fit the bill nicely. See, this is a self-inflating bed. So, with the twist of a nozzle, you will be able to give your pooch as much support as he or she requires.

The only issue here is that the bed doesn’t always inflate as much as you need it to. Fortunately, though, you can manually inflate it so that it reaches the right thickness. This, of course, does mean additional effort for you but it is a good backup to have, nonetheless.

Now, this bed is only available in one size but it is a rather large size. The dimensions are suitable for most dog breeds, ages, and sizes. Due to this, you should have no trouble getting your pup to fit in here. Now, in case this bed seems a little thin or weak, think again. The material has actually been designed to be puncture resistant.

The bottom portion is made from water-resistant material while the upper part is composed of fleece. So not only is this dog bed suitable for the outdoors, but it is also incredibly comfortable for your pup to sleep on. It is also machine washable.

If you don’t want to risk the chance of your pup getting dusty or dirty, then this pet bed is a great option. It is propped up several inches above the ground, ensuring that your pooch is far away from moisture and the cold, hard ground.

It should be noted, though, that this is a bed that is better suited for smaller dogs. The medium size can only hold a maximum of 30lbs and the large can’t hold any more than 40lbs. As long as your dog fits within these limits, you will find that it is a good fit for him or her.

Even though this bed is not on the ground, the covering is still composed of high-quality fabric. The heavy-duty water resistant polyester oxford means that the fabric is able to withstand a great deal and not tear. It is also UV resistant making it excellent for sunny areas. The fabric can be removed and cleaned

The frame is also just as impressive and is resistant to rust. This is excellent for travel purposes. You can simply fold the bed up and take it wherever you go. So, it works well for the beach, camping, and any other environment.

If you want a dog bed that can stand up to a little more wear and tear, then this will definitely be a good option for you and your pooch. See, this dog bed is made from microtomic ripstop material. This means that it is incredibly tough and not easy to tear and rip up. Therefore, it works well with both rough terrain and your pooch!

One of the other benefits is that this dog bed is water-resistant on both sides. Therefore, it will not absorb any moisture at all, making it suitable for all weather conditions. It also has a non-slip bottom that works for all surface types. If you are someone who likes to take your pooch camping, this bed really will come in handy.

The bed is available in both medium and large sizes. As such, you should have no trouble at all finding a size to fit your pooch. This bed is a good match for a variety of breeds, sizes, and ages. At the same time, the bed is quite portable as well. All you need to do is roll it up and you can take it with you. The only real issue with this dog bed is that it has a tendency to shed quite a bit.

So, which outdoor dog bed deserves to be crowned the winner? Well, although each of these beds performed quite well, it is perhaps the K&H heated outdoor bed that exceeds expectations. It offers up just the right amount of padding, can be heated, and is suitable for pups of all sizes. Therefore, it works well as your first choice.

These are the top things to know about outdoor dog beds and how to select one. At this point, you should be quite an expert on the subject!